CALIFORNIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Los Angeles, CA

Josie Neglia
"The Princess Of Salsa"
Los Angeles, CA

DANCE has always been the most exciting and fulfilling aspect of my life, and has allowed me to experience: positive energy, passion, challenges, competitive
experiences, sensuality, self-expression, ecstasy, memorable travels, and a healthy & fit lifestyle. I would love to share this experience with others and offer others the opportunity to feel and be part of the amazing world of dance.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Josie Neglia grew up amongst many Italian friends as a middle child of Sicilian parents. From a very young age, she studied ballet and jazz and later entered York University as a dance major where she had four years of extensive daily training in ballet and modern dance.

In 1989, Josie graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and entered the ballroom/Latin field as a teacher for a private studio where she trained daily and began teaching and competing as a professional in International Latin dance.

Entering a Toronto Latin club, for the first time in 1990, Josie fell in love with Salsa. In 1993, she relocated to Los Angeles and for the past twelve years, has become world renowned as a Salsa expert and has produced eleven instructional Latin dance videos.

Josie is known for her easy-to-learn teaching methods and spectacular performance ability. Her videos are being distributed globally.

Being honored with an invitation to teach at the very first World Salsa Congress in Puerto Rico in 1997, and the first Salsa Festival in Japan in 1997, Josie quickly made a name for herself and is currently asked to do workshops in various cities across the Globe. Josie Neglia was also a feature dancer in the movie "DANCE WITH ME" with Vanessa Williams & Chayanne.

December of 2003 was Josie's life-changing gift from God, the birth of her beautiful daughter Mia who became the reason for Josie to continue sharing the gift of dance in a new way,

In August 2005, Josie decided to fulfill her life-long dream of opening her own Dance Academy that would be the center of dance for young and young-at-heart, people of all cultures, sizes, and back-grounds. She hand-picked the incredibly talented instructors who represent the top in their fields: from Salsa and Flamenco to Pilates and Swing.

At Josie Neglia Dance Academy you will find only top quality instructors, great dance lessons and energy that brings the joy of dance to everyone. Fulfilling Josie's Dream of Teaching the World to Dance ~ One Step at a Time.

Joby ‘Brava’ Aranda
Los Angeles, CA

Joby was born in New York City and proudly first generation Dominican.  Her family then moved her to California where she began her dance career at the age of 19 with Modern, Jazz, Ballet and Hip-Hop.  During this time, she spent three years in an Orange County Theater Dance Company “On Common Ground”.  She began her Salsa dancing in 1993. In 1994 she, Luis Vazquez and Janette Valenzuela founded the first Salsa dance company in California, Salsa Brava.  Now as Joby ‘Brava’ Productions  she offers electrifying choreography, hot but easy dance instruction, Salsa career training & consulting and 8 instructional DVDs. She has 4 dance companies Joby ‘Brava’ Ladies & 1 Vicious 2 Mambo (Amateur and Semi-Pro). 

Back when Joby started everyone thought Salsa was something you ate with chips.  But with Joby’s determination to dance Salsa anywhere, she contributed to expose a style of Salsa no one had seen before all over the world.  It started in Puerto Rico’s 1st Annual Congress in 97’ and than quickly grew from her multitude of visits to over 40 different countries.  She has trained some of the best Salsa dancers in Los Angeles and worked with artist in videos, movies, television, film, and stage shows with many artist.  A few such as Rita Moreno, Jimmy Smits, Tito Puente, Thalia, Jennifer Lopez, Chayanne, Vanessa Williams, Tito Nieves, Quincy Jones, Donnie & Marie, Rosanne Bar, and The Four Tops.  Joby has also choreographed for TV shows such as MAD TV (WB), City of Angeles (CBS) and Sinbad’s VIBE TV (UPN).   

 In her years as a pioneer of what is now considered “L.A. Style Salsa” she has been blessed to receive prestigious awards such as:

Washington D.C. “Women of Salsa” 2005 Recognition Award
Tropicana-Club Latino, Milano 2005 Special Recognition Award
Sabor Magazine’s “Best Dance Company Award 2001, 2002, & 2003”
Sabor Magazine’s “Best Female Dancer in L.A. 2001”
Albert Torres Productions’ “Lifetime Contribution Award 2001”
Congreso Bacardi 2001 “Contribution to Salsa Culture”
Mayor Jeremy Harris of Hawaii for “Outstanding efforts to promote culture exchange between Hispanic Community & Hawaii” 2001



Laura Canellias
Los Angeles, CA

Also known as the “First Lady Of Salsa”

One of the foremost salsa instructors on the west coast and one of the pioneers of the “LA Style”, her reputation & teaching skills place her in high demand & have taken her all over the world teaching, judging & performing. Laura’s dance training began at an early age with jazz, ballet & tap and continued on into musical theatre where she developed her skills as an actress & stage performer. She later studied ballroom, tango, Swing, & Country & Western. After moving to Los Angeles 20 years ago, she has been teaching as well as choreographing & performing for television, stage & movies such as “the Mambo Kings”, “Out To Sea” and “Dance With Me”. She has received multiple honors including the Anibal Vasquez Award, one ot the most prestigious awards in the salsa community, as well as special recognition at the 1998 & 2001 W.C. Salsa Congress in Los Angeles. He also produced & created the aerobic workout program & video, Cardio salsatm & also 7 CD’s for Rhino Records, 5 of which were latin CD’s

She was also artistic director of the electric salsa performance group, Salsa ConFunkshon for 7 years. Laura currently teaches at Santa Monica College & LA Dance Experience in West Los Angeles.


Cristian Oviedo
Los Angeles, CA

 

 

 

Leslie Ferreira
Los Angeles, CA















Liz Lira
"The Rose Of Salsa"
Los Angeles, CA
Liz Lira, was born in La Paz, Bolivia, and immigrated to the United States at the early age of eight. Making Southern California her new home, she embraced the art of dance and excelled in both ballet and jazz.

For more than a dozen years, she trained at the most respected dance studios with top ballet coaches and traveled with her dance company, Salsa Soleil, performing in front of thousands and on TV. Seen as one of the more talented young ballerinas, she encountered numerous opportunities, including the possibility to move to New York and join one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world -- The New York City Ballet.

However, personal strife and limitations hindered her dreams of pursuing a life on state performing ballet and nearly caused her to quit dancing forever. But with the support of family and a strong determination, she regained her commitment to dance and transitioned into new avenues.

Although professionally trained for many years in various forms of dance, including modern, lyrical and hip hop, it was not until 2001, at the age of 21, that she emerged onto the LA salsa scene. Her style quickly gained her recognition as one of the top female dancers in Southern California. Although she desires to present an elegant style of salsa as her trademark, her dancing has been referred to as a fusion of graceful motion and explosive energy.

Admired by many for her warm personality and exceptional dancing skills, she quickly became one of the more recognizable personalities on the club circuit. Her outstanding teaching skills also made her a favorite among salsa students at establishments such as the Mayan and Conga Room. Coveted by many of the salsa scene's best male dancers to train as dance partners, she chose to dance with salsa veteran.

She went on to capture her first major salsa dance championship at the Mayan Club in the summer of 2002. Along with competitions, her itinerary also included performances on the international stage, performing in her beloved Bolivia, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, and Japan. The momentum of her early success lead to commercials and music video appearances.

As a much sought after instructor for classes and private lessons, Liz dedicates much of her time to teaching salsa at various locations in the Los Angeles area. Her projects continue to include overseas travel, shows, performances and choreography. All the while, she has not neglected to continue her college studies. Her distinctive style of dance has opened many doors and is likely to ensure that she continues to be one of the rising stars in LA's crowded salsa scene.

Liz Lira went onto winning more than a dozen competitions with partner Salomon Rivera. Making them current Four Time World Salsa Champion. They travel around the world teaching, performing and sharing the passion of dance.

Rony Medrano
Los Angeles, CA

Originally from Guatemala, Rony currently resides in Hollywod, CA. He began dancing salsa in 1999 and became professional dancer in 2000. Rony has won several competitions including Sportsman's Lodge, Conga Room, and Mayan just to name a few.

 

Rony's membership in Los Rumberos Dance Company has enabled him to perform in big stages in Europe, Mexico, Puerto Rico and throughout the United States. He has performed in Italy, Las Vegas and has also done numerous videos, like "I Need To Know" with Marc Anthony, TV shows and movies like "Blow & Showtime" just to name a few.







Paco Evangelista
Los Angeles, CA